Fixation of lung apex in spontaneous pneumothorax is safe and efficient in decrease recurrences

Background: Video-assisted thoracoscopic bullectomy with pleurodesis is widely used to treat spontaneous pneumothorax. However, 1%–3% of patients experience postoperative complications that may require reoperation, such as bleeding or prolonged air leaks, and 3%–7% of patients require a repeat thora...

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Main Authors: Wendy Yang, Pei-Yeh Chang, Ai-Hua Yeh, Yung-Ching Ming, Jeng Chang Chen, Jin-Yao Lai
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Elsevier 2019-02-01
Series:Pediatrics and Neonatology
Online Access:http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1875957217305788
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author Wendy Yang
Pei-Yeh Chang
Ai-Hua Yeh
Yung-Ching Ming
Jeng Chang Chen
Jin-Yao Lai
author_facet Wendy Yang
Pei-Yeh Chang
Ai-Hua Yeh
Yung-Ching Ming
Jeng Chang Chen
Jin-Yao Lai
author_sort Wendy Yang
collection DOAJ
description Background: Video-assisted thoracoscopic bullectomy with pleurodesis is widely used to treat spontaneous pneumothorax. However, 1%–3% of patients experience postoperative complications that may require reoperation, such as bleeding or prolonged air leaks, and 3%–7% of patients require a repeat thoracoscopic bullectomy due to recurrence. Therefore, a modified procedure with improved outcomes is required. Methods: Between January 1, 2011 and December 31, 2015, 196 patients with spontaneous pneumothorax underwent thoracoscopic bullectomy and pleurodesis with or without fixation of the lung apex to the chest wall. In patients in the fixation group, the lung apex was fixed to the chest wall with two non-absorbable sutures after bullectomy and pleurodesis. The treatment of each lung was considered an independent operation in patients with bilateral spontaneous pneumothorax. Results: The patients in each group had comparable backgrounds. In the fixation group, 67 patients underwent 87 operations, four of which (in three patients) led to recurrences (recurrence rate, 4.60%). There were no readmissions or reoperations within 30 days in this group. In the non-fixation group, 128 patients underwent 161 operations, 14 of which (in nine patients) led to recurrences (recurrence rate, 8.7%). In addition, three patients in this group required reoperation and two were readmitted within 30 days. Conclusions: Modified thoracoscopic bullectomy with fixation of the lung apex is a safe procedure that provides better outcomes with lower complication rates. Key Words: spontaneous pneumothorax, thoracoscopic bullectomy, video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS), lung apex fixation
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spelling doaj-art-ef05a5df2d394fc7bb95b4e5742ca8f42025-08-20T02:22:21ZengElsevierPediatrics and Neonatology1875-95722019-02-01601838610.1016/j.pedneo.2018.04.009Fixation of lung apex in spontaneous pneumothorax is safe and efficient in decrease recurrencesWendy Yang0Pei-Yeh Chang1Ai-Hua Yeh2Yung-Ching Ming3Jeng Chang Chen4Jin-Yao Lai5Department of Pediatric Surgery, Chang Gung Children's Hospital, Chang Gung University, College of Medicine, Linkou, TaiwanDepartment of Pediatric Surgery, Chang Gung Children's Hospital, Chang Gung University, College of Medicine, Linkou, TaiwanDepartment of Pediatric Surgery, Chang Gung Children's Hospital, Chang Gung University, College of Medicine, Linkou, TaiwanDepartment of Pediatric Surgery, Chang Gung Children's Hospital, Chang Gung University, College of Medicine, Linkou, TaiwanDepartment of Pediatric Surgery, Chang Gung Children's Hospital, Chang Gung University, College of Medicine, Linkou, TaiwanCorresponding author. Department of Pediatric Surgery, Chang Gung Children's Hospital, Chang Gung University, College of Medicine, No.5, Fusing St., Gueishan Township, Linkou, Taoyuan County, 333, Taiwan, ROC. Fax: +886 3. 3285056.; Department of Pediatric Surgery, Chang Gung Children's Hospital, Chang Gung University, College of Medicine, Linkou, TaiwanBackground: Video-assisted thoracoscopic bullectomy with pleurodesis is widely used to treat spontaneous pneumothorax. However, 1%–3% of patients experience postoperative complications that may require reoperation, such as bleeding or prolonged air leaks, and 3%–7% of patients require a repeat thoracoscopic bullectomy due to recurrence. Therefore, a modified procedure with improved outcomes is required. Methods: Between January 1, 2011 and December 31, 2015, 196 patients with spontaneous pneumothorax underwent thoracoscopic bullectomy and pleurodesis with or without fixation of the lung apex to the chest wall. In patients in the fixation group, the lung apex was fixed to the chest wall with two non-absorbable sutures after bullectomy and pleurodesis. The treatment of each lung was considered an independent operation in patients with bilateral spontaneous pneumothorax. Results: The patients in each group had comparable backgrounds. In the fixation group, 67 patients underwent 87 operations, four of which (in three patients) led to recurrences (recurrence rate, 4.60%). There were no readmissions or reoperations within 30 days in this group. In the non-fixation group, 128 patients underwent 161 operations, 14 of which (in nine patients) led to recurrences (recurrence rate, 8.7%). In addition, three patients in this group required reoperation and two were readmitted within 30 days. Conclusions: Modified thoracoscopic bullectomy with fixation of the lung apex is a safe procedure that provides better outcomes with lower complication rates. Key Words: spontaneous pneumothorax, thoracoscopic bullectomy, video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS), lung apex fixationhttp://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1875957217305788
spellingShingle Wendy Yang
Pei-Yeh Chang
Ai-Hua Yeh
Yung-Ching Ming
Jeng Chang Chen
Jin-Yao Lai
Fixation of lung apex in spontaneous pneumothorax is safe and efficient in decrease recurrences
Pediatrics and Neonatology
title Fixation of lung apex in spontaneous pneumothorax is safe and efficient in decrease recurrences
title_full Fixation of lung apex in spontaneous pneumothorax is safe and efficient in decrease recurrences
title_fullStr Fixation of lung apex in spontaneous pneumothorax is safe and efficient in decrease recurrences
title_full_unstemmed Fixation of lung apex in spontaneous pneumothorax is safe and efficient in decrease recurrences
title_short Fixation of lung apex in spontaneous pneumothorax is safe and efficient in decrease recurrences
title_sort fixation of lung apex in spontaneous pneumothorax is safe and efficient in decrease recurrences
url http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1875957217305788
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